Since the finish of BBC's extra bleak crime drama "Luther" in July, many have been wondering more about what comes next for the franchise.

Creator Neil Cross has previously stated on numerous occasions that there have been plans for a movie, but wouldn't say if it is going to be a prequel or a sequel.

Speaking at the Edinburgh TV Festival, Cross finally confirmed that it will be a prequel. The script is done and he hopes to get the film made next year.

Cross says: "It will follow his [Luther's] career in the earlier days, when he is still married to Zoe, and the final scene in the film is the first of the initial TV series." That scene being the death of a serial paedophile Henry Madsen (Anton Saunders) whom Luther failed to save from a fall off a catwalk in a chemical factory.

Cross says that part of the reason for doing a prequel was to bring back various supporting characters - something they couldn't do considering how events wrapped at the end of the third series.

Unfortunately, by going the prequel route, the one character who won't make an appearance is the popular and murderous Alice Morgan (Ruth Wilson). Cross says Alice may return, however, as the lead in her own spin-off series.

Cross says: "The BBC is very interested in the project. The truth is I absolutely adore Alice! We're kind of thinking very loosely of a mix between The Talented Mr Ripley and The Last Seduction."

Cross himself remains busy with other projects including penning two episodes of the upcoming eighth season of "Doctor Who," and as writer on the John Malkovich-led NBC pirate drama "Crossbones".